They inherited businesses — and expectations. Others built startups, brands and careers before anyone had the chance to tell them they were “too young”. At the New Gen Stage of INSPIRE 2026, Cyprus’ new generation of business leaders is not talking about the future it is waiting for. It is talking about the future it is already creating.
For years, we have spoken about the “next generation” as if it were still on its way.
As if young leaders were patiently waiting for their turn to take over businesses, lead teams, launch companies and earn a voice at the table.
But their turn has already arrived.
Second-, third- and, in some cases, fourth-generation leaders are already taking on real responsibility within Cypriot businesses. And they are being asked to balance two very different demands: respect what has already been built while having the courage to change it.
That is the world brought to life at the New Gen Stage – Family Business, Succession and the Rising Stars of Cypriot Entrepreneurship at INSPIRE 2026.
At The New Generation of Business Leaders, Ioannis Chasikos, Andreas Kameris, Stavri Eracleous, Pavlos Phokas and Vasilis Jacovides explore a reality that is not always visible behind a familiar surname or impressive job title: the pressure to prove yourself, the expectations that come with succession and the challenge of establishing your own leadership identity without losing the DNA of the business.
The passing of the torch becomes literal at Passing the Torch from One Generation to the Next, where George Constantinou, Chairman of GCC Group, joins Constantinos Constantinou, CEO of GCC. Father and son tackle some of the questions rarely found in family-business success stories: trust, different perspectives, shared ambitions and that crucial moment when one generation must create space for the next to take responsibility.
But the new generation is not only about succession.
At Young Dragons – Young Stars, Anna Charalambous, Andy Gee and Zacharias Marangos represent professionals and executives under 40 who are already building credibility and influence through their own decisions, early risks and self-created opportunities.
And then comes Gen Z — with even less interest in waiting for permission.
David Bitton brings a digital entrepreneurship story that began with reselling products online at just 13 and evolved into e-commerce and seven-figure businesses. Meanwhile, Nicolas Economides and George Pitsillides of Velostays explore what it means to Build Without Permission — turning market insight, digital thinking and the courage to act into a new-generation hospitality business.
Elsewhere on the stage, Chris Ellinas and Christopher Barnett, Co-Founders of Cyprus Comic Con, alongside Ioanna Michail and Michalis Kyriakou of MIMAJO, bring different versions of the same powerful idea: passion can become community, personal experience can become purpose, and an idea can become a real entrepreneurial journey.
Adding a very different dimension is Paralympian Stylianos Malakopoulos, whose story brings resilience into the conversation — exploring how adversity can become strength and how the mindset of a champion can turn life-changing challenges into opportunities for growth and achievement.
This is the New Gen Stage.
Not a stage for people who will one day lead.
It is a stage for people who are already taking responsibility, creating, failing, trying again, challenging convention and building their own version of Cypriot entrepreneurship.
Because the new generation is no longer waiting for someone to hand it the future. It has already started building it.
Location: Nicosia, Makarios Avenue and surrounding areas
Dates: Wednesday, 7 and Thursday, 8 October 2026
More information & Free Tickets: www.inspirecyprus.com
Information
Strategic Partner: Cyta Business
Platinum Sponsor: Bank of Cyprus
Innovation Partner: Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF)
Gold Sponsors: Cyfield, Zorbas Group
Silver Sponsor: Bioland, Petrolina
Stage Sponsors: National Bank of Greece (Cyprus), KPMG Cyprus, Invest Cyprus, Odyssey
Academic Partner: University of Nicosia
Sponsor: IMR, AnAD, Henry’s by Columbia
Panel Sponsor: allwyn
Technology Sponsor: Abasis.AI
Supporting organisations: KEPA-SkillsCyprus, National Betting Authority
Exhibitors: Drastyc, Emphasys Centre, GrantXpert, onlyseo, Photos Photiades Breweries – selection, Wolt, Nicosia Marathon, Giorgio Armani, Factorial
Supporters: CP Herbal Skin Care, MiMaJo, National Betting Authority, Robura, Voici La Mode, University of Limassol, Cloud Office
Mobility Partner: ChaPilakoutasGroup
Wellbeing Partner: Wayfitco
Sustainability Partner: EAC
With the support of: Cyprus Computer Society, CITEA, CPMA, Youth Board of Cyprus, OEB, KEBE, techisland, Student Life Academy
Media Sponsors: ALPHA Cyprus, CBN, IN Business, REPORTER, SuperFM
Organiser: IMH
Under the Auspices of: Nicosia Municipality
